OpenWRT aims to finalize its $100 OpenWRT One open source router design and specification.

News
By
Published

Proposals also include having an internal NVMe storage to enable Linux installation

Would OpenWrt open-source router to existing players?
(Image credit: Future)

Members of the OpenWRT project, one of the legendary pioneers of open source networking firmware, are finalizing the hardware features for the 'OpenWrt One' routers. The group conducted a poll with its members and drafted hardware specs, which will be based on a MediaTek SoC (System on Chip) and Wi-Fi chip. The idea of having a router came at the same time the community announced it had been twenty years since its first open-source router firmware was released. 

Once the features and hardware are finalized, OpenWrt intends to work with Banana Pi to manufacture and distribute the routers. This would make it an easier process as OpenWrt can work on the router design and firmware while the manufacturer can seek the necessary FCC/EC/RoHS compliance and produce the hardware for distribution to retail channels. 

Latest Videos FromTom's Hardware
Roshan Ashraf Shaikh
Roshan Ashraf Shaikh
Contributing Writer

Roshan Ashraf Shaikh has been in the Indian PC hardware community since the early 2000s and has been building PCs, contributing to many Indian tech forums, & blogs. He operated Hardware BBQ for 11 years and wrote news for eTeknix & TweakTown before joining Tom's Hardware team. Besides tech, he is interested in fighting games, movies, anime, and mechanical watches.

6 Comments Comment from the forums
  • COLGeek
    I truly looked forward to seeing where this project goes. This could be fun!
    Reply
  • coolitic
    I'm reluctant to take interest if it's sticking with Banana Pi...
    Reply
  • bit_user
    I'd pay more for better specs. One thing that jumps out at me is:
    2x RJ45 (2.5 GbE + 1 GbE)
    Why?? Should be 2x 2.5 Gigabit.

    Also, from what I can tell, the SoC has just 2x ARM Cortex-A53 @ 1.3 GHz.

    I hope most of these parts have upgraded versions with compatible pinouts, so they can easily make a "turbo" model, for a higher price.

    BTW, the article uses the term "firmware" to refer to the main operating software of the router, but various chips and embedded IP blocks also have their own firmware. I think the wifi chip is a prime example. I highly doubt that firmware is going to be open source. Hence, we're still stuck with some opaque, proprietary blobs of code running on this thing. That's not to say having open source for the main network stack isn't a good thing.
    Reply
  • das_stig
    Specs too low for a modern router, maybe as an entry level for developing markets.
    Would have been nice to have been fully modular components and even used RISC-V.
    Reply
  • TechLurker
    They should take a page from Turris' Mox expandable router, and go for a powerful basic module, that can be expanded as-needed via add-on modules, with options for SFP modules and additional 2.5 or even 5 GbE modules (at higher price points obviously) for the power users who'd be investing in such anyway.
    Reply
  • Aidan Macgregor
    This looks like an interesting device, Unfortunately for my project (EE Wi-Fi Autologin - GHub) a 3x3 2.4Ghx Radio minimum would be ideal (as a lot of the upstream devices i connect to in client mode are transmitting 2.4Ghz 3x3 ("BT Smart Hub" & Newer, "Home Hub 5" Models & older are still transmitting 2.4Ghz 2x2) with the varying distances & range often times only 2.4 is usable (Stable) and that 3rd stream really helps lower signal throughput (-75Dbm Approx 50-70Mbps)vs closer to 20-30), Rest of the specs look interesting though :)
    Reply